Agamemnon Proposes the Achaeans Sail Home, but Ulysses Rebukes Him. Juno Tricks Jupiter. Hector Is Wounded

Nestor was sitting over his wine, but the cry of battle did not escape him, and he said to the son of Aesculapius, “What, noble Machaon, is the meaning of all this? The shouts of men fighting by our ships grow stronger and stronger; stay here, therefore, and sit over your wine, while fair Hecamede heats you a bath and washes the clotted blood from off you. I will go at once to the look-out station and see what it is all about.”

Nestor was sitting with his wine, but he heard the cries of battle. He said to the son of Aesculapius, “Noble Machaon, what does all this noise mean? The shouts of men fighting by our ships are growing louder and louder. So stay here with your wine while beautiful Hecamede heats a bath for you and washes off your clotted blood. I will go to the lookout post at once and see what is happening.”

As he spoke he took up the shield of his son Thrasymedes that was lying in his tent, all gleaming with bronze, for Thrasymedes had taken his father’s shield; he grasped his redoubtable bronze-shod spear, and as soon as he was outside saw the disastrous rout of the Achaeans who, now that their wall was overthrown, were flying pell-mell before the Trojans. As when there is a heavy swell upon the sea, but the waves are dumb—they keep their eyes on the watch for the quarter whence the fierce winds may spring upon them, but they stay where they are and set neither this way nor that, till some particular wind sweeps down from heaven to determine them—even so did the old man ponder whether to make for the crowd of Danaans, or go in search of Agamemnon. In the end he deemed it best to go to the son of Atreus; but meanwhile the hosts were fighting and killing one another, and the hard bronze rattled on their bodies, as they thrust at one another with their swords and spears.

As he spoke, he picked up his son Thrasymedes’ shield, which lay in his tent, gleaming all over with bronze. Thrasymedes had taken his father’s shield. He gripped his fearsome bronze-tipped spear. As soon as he stepped outside, he saw the disastrous retreat of the Achaeans. Their wall had fallen, and they were fleeing in confusion before the Trojans. Just as a heavy swell rises on the sea, yet the waves remain silent, so the old man hesitated. The waves watch for the direction from which fierce winds may strike. But they stay in place, moving neither way, until a particular wind sweeps down from heaven and drives them. So the old man considered whether to head toward the crowd of Danaans or search for Agamemnon. In the end, he decided it was best to go to the son of Atreus. Meanwhile, the armies fought and killed one another. Hard bronze clattered against their bodies as they struck at one another with swords and spears.

The wounded kings, the son of Tydeus, Ulysses, and Agamemnon son of Atreus, fell in with Nestor as they were coming up from their ships—for theirs were drawn up some way from where the fighting was going on, being on the shore itself inasmuch as they had been beached first, while the wall had been built behind the hindermost. The stretch of the shore, wide though it was, did not afford room for all the ships, and the host was cramped for space, therefore they had placed the ships in rows one behind the other, and had filled the whole opening of the bay between the two points that formed it. The kings, leaning on their spears, were coming out to survey the fight, being in great anxiety, and when old Nestor met them they were filled with dismay. Then King Agamemnon said to him, “Nestor son of Neleus, honour to the Achaean name, why have you left the battle to come hither? I fear that what dread Hector said will come true, when he vaunted among the Trojans saying that he would not return to Ilius till he had fired our ships and killed us; this is what he said, and now it is all coming true. Alas! others of the Achaeans, like Achilles, are in such anger with me that they refuse to fight by the sterns of our ships.”

The wounded kings met Nestor as they came up from their ships. They were the son of Tydeus, Ulysses, and Agamemnon son of Atreus. Their ships lay some distance from the fighting, right on the shore, because they had been beached first. The wall had been built behind the rearmost ships. Although the shore was wide, there was not enough room for all the ships, and the army was crowded. So they had placed the ships in rows, one behind another. The ships filled the entire opening of the bay between its two headlands. The kings were coming out to watch the battle, leaning on their spears and deeply anxious. When old Nestor met them, they were filled with dismay. Then King Agamemnon said to him, “Nestor son of Neleus, an honor to the Achaean name, why have you left the battle to come here? I fear that dreadful Hector’s words will come true. He boasted among the Trojans that he would not return to Ilius until he had burned our ships and killed us. Those were his words, and now they are all coming true. Alas! Other Achaeans, like Achilles, are so angry with me that they refuse to fight at the sterns of our ships.”

Then Nestor knight of Gerene, answered, “It is indeed as you say; it is all coming true at this moment, and even Jove who thunders from on high cannot prevent it. Fallen is the wall on which we relied as an impregnable bulwark both for us and our fleet. The Trojans are fighting stubbornly and without ceasing at the ships; look where you may you cannot see from what quarter the rout of the Achaeans is coming; they are being killed in a confused mass and the battle-cry ascends to heaven; let us think, if counsel can be of any use, what we had better do; but I do not advise our going into battle ourselves, for a man cannot fight when he is wounded.”

Then Nestor, knight of Gerene, answered, “You are right. It is all coming true right now, and even Jove, who thunders from above, cannot prevent it. The wall has fallen. We relied on that wall as an unbreakable defense for ourselves and our fleet. The Trojans are fighting stubbornly and without pause at the ships. Wherever you look, you cannot tell from which direction the Achaeans are being driven back. The Achaeans are being killed in a confused mass, and the battle cries rise to heaven. Let us consider what we should do, if advice can be of any use. But I do not advise going into battle ourselves, because a wounded man cannot fight.”

And King Agamemnon answered, “Nestor, if the Trojans are indeed fighting at the rear of our ships, and neither the wall nor the trench has served us—over which the Danaans toiled so hard, and which they deemed would be an impregnable bulwark both for us and our fleet—I see it must be the will of Jove that the Achaeans should perish ingloriously here, far from Argos. I knew when Jove was willing to defend us, and I know now that he is raising the Trojans to like honour with the gods, while us, on the other hand, he has bound hand and foot. Now, therefore, let us all do as I say; let us bring down the ships that are on the beach and draw them into the water; let us make them fast to their mooring-stones a little way out, against the fall of night—if even by night the Trojans will desist from fighting; we may then draw down the rest of the fleet. There is nothing wrong in flying ruin even by night. It is better for a man that he should fly and be saved than be caught and killed.”

And King Agamemnon answered, “Nestor, if the Trojans are indeed fighting at the rear of our ships, our defenses have failed us. Neither the wall nor the trench has helped, though the Danaans worked so hard to build them. They thought these defenses would be impossible to breach and would protect both us and our fleet. If so, I see that Jove must want the Achaeans to die here in disgrace, far from Argos. I knew when Jove was willing to defend us. Now I know he is giving the Trojans honor equal to the gods, while he has bound us hand and foot. So now let us all do as I say. Let us launch the ships on the beach and secure them to their mooring stones a little way offshore. Let us have them ready for nightfall, if the Trojans will stop fighting even at night. We may then launch the rest of the fleet. There is nothing wrong with fleeing destruction, even at night. It is better for a man to flee and survive than to be caught and killed.”

Ulysses looked fiercely at him and said, “Son of Atreus, what are you talking about? Wretch, you should have commanded some other and baser army, and not been ruler over us to whom Jove has allotted a life of hard fighting from youth to old age, till we every one of us perish. Is it thus that you would quit the city of Troy, to win which we have suffered so much hardship? Hold your peace, lest some other of the Achaeans hear you say what no man who knows how to give good counsel, no king over so great a host as that of the Argives should ever have let fall from his lips. I despise your judgement utterly for what you have been saying. Would you, then, have us draw down our ships into the water while the battle is raging, and thus play further into the hands of the conquering Trojans? It would be ruin; the Achaeans will not go on fighting when they see the ships being drawn into the water, but will cease attacking and keep turning their eyes towards them; your counsel, therefore, sir captain, would be our destruction.”

Ulysses glared at him and said, “Son of Atreus, what are you talking about? You wretch, you should have commanded some other, lesser army, not ruled over us. Jove has condemned us to hard fighting from youth to old age, until every one of us dies. Is this how you would abandon Troy, after all the hardship we have suffered to capture the city? Be quiet, before another of the Achaeans hears you. No man with good judgment should ever say such things, nor should any king commanding so great an army as the Argives. I utterly despise your judgment because of what you have said. Would you really have us launch our ships while the battle rages, giving the victorious Trojans an even greater advantage? Launching the ships would ruin us. The Achaeans will not keep fighting when they see the ships being launched. Instead, the Achaeans will stop attacking and keep looking back at the ships. So your advice, sir captain, would destroy us.”

Agamemnon answered, “Ulysses, your rebuke has stung me to the heart. I am not, however, ordering the Achaeans to draw their ships into the sea whether they will or no. Someone, it may be, old or young, can offer us better counsel which I shall rejoice to hear.”

Agamemnon answered, “Ulysses, your criticism has hurt me deeply. But I am not ordering the Achaeans to launch their ships against their will. Perhaps someone, young or old, can offer us better advice. I would gladly hear that advice.”

Then said Diomed, “Such an one is at hand; he is not far to seek, if you will listen to me and not resent my speaking though I am younger than any of you. I am by lineage son to a noble sire, Tydeus, who lies buried at Thebes. For Portheus had three noble sons, two of whom, Agrius and Melas, abode in Pleuron and rocky Calydon. The third was the knight Oeneus, my father’s father, and he was the most valiant of them all. Oeneus remained in his own country, but my father (as Jove and the other gods ordained it) migrated to Argos. He married into the family of Adrastus, and his house was one of great abundance, for he had large estates of rich corn-growing land, with much orchard ground as well, and he had many sheep; moreover he excelled all the Argives in the use of the spear. You must yourselves have heard whether these things are true or no; therefore when I say well despise not my words as though I were a coward or of ignoble birth. I say, then, let us go to the fight as we needs must, wounded though we be. When there, we may keep out of the battle and beyond the range of the spears lest we get fresh wounds in addition to what we have already, but we can spur on others, who have been indulging their spleen and holding aloof from battle hitherto.”

Then Diomed said, “Such a man is here, and you need not look far, if you will listen to me. Do not resent my speaking, though I am younger than any of you. I am the son of a noble father, Tydeus, who lies buried at Thebes. Portheus had three noble sons. Two of them, Agrius and Melas, lived in Pleuron and rocky Calydon. The third was the horseman Oeneus, my father’s father, and he was the bravest of them all. Oeneus stayed in his own country, but my father moved to Argos, as Jove and the other gods decreed. He married into the family of Adrastus, and his household was very wealthy. He owned large estates of rich grain-growing land, extensive orchards, and many sheep. He also surpassed all the Argives in skill with the spear. You must have heard for yourselves whether these things are true. So when I give good advice, do not dismiss my words as though I were a coward or lowborn. “I say, then, let us go to the fighting, as we must, even though we are wounded. Once there, we can stay out of the battle and beyond spear range, so we do not suffer further wounds. But we can urge on others who have stayed away from battle until now, nursing their anger.”

Thus did he speak; whereon they did even as he had said and set out, King Agamemnon leading the way.

After he spoke, they did as he had said and set out, with King Agamemnon leading the way.

Meanwhile Neptune had kept no blind look-out, and came up to them in the semblance of an old man. He took Agamemnon’s right hand in his own and said, “Son of Atreus, I take it Achilles is glad now that he sees the Achaeans routed and slain, for he is utterly without remorse—may he come to a bad end and heaven confound him. As for yourself, the blessed gods are not yet so bitterly angry with you but that the princes and counsellors of the Trojans shall again raise the dust upon the plain, and you shall see them flying from the ships and tents towards their city.”

Meanwhile, Neptune had been keeping a close watch. He approached them in the form of an old man. He took Agamemnon’s right hand in his own and said, “Son of Atreus, I suppose Achilles is glad now to see the Achaeans driven back and killed. For he has no remorse at all. May he come to a bad end, and may heaven bring him to ruin. As for you, the blessed gods are not yet so bitterly angry with you that all hope is lost. The Trojan princes and counsellors will again kick up dust on the plain. You will see them fleeing from the ships and tents towards their city.”

With this he raised a mighty cry of battle, and sped forward to the plain. The voice that came from his deep chest was as that of nine or ten thousand men when they are shouting in the thick of a fight, and it put fresh courage into the hearts of the Achaeans to wage war and do battle without ceasing.

With that, he let out a mighty battle cry and raced forward onto the plain. His voice thundered from deep in his chest like nine or ten thousand men shouting in fierce battle. The cry gave the Achaeans fresh courage to wage war and fight without stopping.

Juno of the golden throne looked down as she stood upon a peak of Olympus and her heart was gladdened at the sight of him who was at once her brother and her brother-in-law, hurrying hither and thither amid the fighting. Then she turned her eyes to Jove as he sat on the topmost crests of many-fountained Ida, and loathed him. She set herself to think how she might hoodwink him, and in the end she deemed that it would be best for her to go to Ida and array herself in rich attire, in the hope that Jove might become enamoured of her, and wish to embrace her. While he was thus engaged a sweet and careless sleep might be made to steal over his eyes and senses.

Juno of the golden throne stood on a peak of Olympus and looked down. Her heart filled with joy at the sight of her brother, who was also her brother-in-law. He was rushing back and forth among the fighters. Then she looked toward Jove, sitting on the highest peaks of Ida, with its many springs, and hated him. She began thinking of how to trick him. At last she decided her best plan was to dress in rich clothes and go to Ida. She hoped Jove would be overcome with desire for her and want to hold her in his arms. While he embraced her, she might make a sweet, peaceful sleep steal over his eyes and senses.

She went, therefore, to the room which her son Vulcan had made her, and the doors of which he had cunningly fastened by means of a secret key so that no other god could open them. Here she entered and closed the doors behind her. She cleansed all the dirt from her fair body with ambrosia, then she anointed herself with olive oil, ambrosial, very soft, and scented specially for herself—if it were so much as shaken in the bronze-floored house of Jove, the scent pervaded the universe of heaven and earth. With this she anointed her delicate skin, and then she plaited the fair ambrosial locks that flowed in a stream of golden tresses from her immortal head. She put on the wondrous robe which Minerva had worked for her with consummate art, and had embroidered with manifold devices; she fastened it about her bosom with golden clasps, and she girded herself with a girdle that had a hundred tassels: then she fastened her earrings, three brilliant pendants that glistened most beautifully, through the pierced lobes of her ears, and threw a lovely new veil over her head. She bound her sandals on to her feet, and when she had arrayed herself perfectly to her satisfaction, she left her room and called Venus to come aside and speak to her. “My dear child,” said she, “will you do what I am going to ask of you, or will you refuse me because you are angry at my being on the Danaan side, while you are on the Trojan?”

So she went to the room her son Vulcan had made for her. He had cleverly secured its doors with a secret key so that no other god could open them. She entered and closed the doors behind her. She washed all the dirt from her beautiful body with ambrosia. Then she rubbed herself with ambrosial olive oil, wonderfully soft and scented especially for her. If the oil was even shaken in Jove’s bronze-floored house, its scent spread throughout heaven and earth. She rubbed the oil into her delicate skin. Then she braided her beautiful, ambrosial hair, which flowed in golden streams from her immortal head. She put on the wonderful robe Minerva had made for her with great skill and embroidered with many designs. She fastened the robe across her chest with golden clasps and tied a belt with a hundred tassels around her waist. Then she put earrings through her pierced earlobes, with three bright pendants that sparkled beautifully. She draped a lovely new veil over her head and strapped sandals onto her feet. When she was dressed exactly to her satisfaction, she left her room and called Venus aside to speak with her. “My dear child,” she said, “will you do what I am about to ask? Or will you refuse because you are angry that I support the Danaan side while you support the Trojan side?”

Jove’s daughter Venus answered, “Juno, august queen of goddesses, daughter of mighty Saturn, say what you want, and I will do it for you at once, if I can, and if it can be done at all.”

Jove’s daughter Venus answered, “Juno, honored queen of goddesses and daughter of mighty Saturn, tell me what you want. I will do what you ask at once, if I can and if it can be done at all.”

Then Juno told her a lying tale and said, “I want you to endow me with some of those fascinating charms, the spells of which bring all things mortal and immortal to your feet. I am going to the world’s end to visit Oceanus (from whom all we gods proceed) and mother Tethys: they received me in their house, took care of me, and brought me up, having taken me over from Rhaea when Jove imprisoned great Saturn in the depths that are under earth and sea. I must go and see them that I may make peace between them; they have been quarrelling, and are so angry that they have not slept with one another this long while; if I can bring them round and restore them to one another’s embraces, they will be grateful to me and love me for ever afterwards.”

Then Juno told her a lie and said, “I want you to give me some of your irresistible charms. Their spells bring all mortals and immortals to your feet. I am going to the world’s end to visit Oceanus and mother Tethys. All of us gods come from Oceanus. Oceanus and Tethys welcomed me into their home, cared for me, and raised me. They took me from Rhaea when Jove imprisoned great Saturn in the depths beneath the earth and sea. I must visit them so I can make peace between them. They have been quarrelling and are so angry that they have not slept together for a long time. If I can persuade them to embrace each other again, they will be grateful and love me forever afterward.”

Thereon laughter-loving Venus said, “I cannot and must not refuse you, for you sleep in the arms of Jove who is our king.”

Then laughter-loving Venus said, “I cannot and must not refuse you, because you sleep in the arms of Jove, our king.”

As she spoke she loosed from her bosom the curiously embroidered girdle into which all her charms had been wrought—love, desire, and that sweet flattery which steals the judgement even of the most prudent. She gave the girdle to Juno and said, “Take this girdle wherein all my charms reside and lay it in your bosom. If you will wear it I promise you that your errand, be it what it may, will not be bootless.”

As she spoke, she unfastened the intricately embroidered sash from her breast. All her charms had been woven into the sash: love, desire, and sweet flattery that robs even the wisest of judgment. She gave the sash to Juno and said, “Take this sash, which holds all my charms, and tuck it against your breast. If you wear the sash, I promise your errand will not be in vain, whatever your errand may be.”

When she heard this Juno smiled, and still smiling she laid the girdle in her bosom.

When Juno heard this, she smiled. Still smiling, she tucked the girdle into the front of her dress.

Venus now went back into the house of Jove, while Juno darted down from the summits of Olympus. She passed over Pieria and fair Emathia, and went on and on till she came to the snowy ranges of the Thracian horsemen, over whose topmost crests she sped without ever setting foot to ground. When she came to Athos she went on over the waves of the sea till she reached Lemnos, the city of noble Thoas. There she met Sleep, own brother to Death, and caught him by the hand, saying, “Sleep, you who lord it alike over mortals and immortals, if you ever did me a service in times past, do one for me now, and I shall be grateful to you ever after. Close Jove’s keen eyes for me in slumber while I hold him clasped in my embrace, and I will give you a beautiful golden seat, that can never fall to pieces; my clubfooted son Vulcan shall make it for you, and he shall give it a footstool for you to rest your fair feet upon when you are at table.”

Venus now returned to the house of Jove, while Juno sped down from the peaks of Olympus. She passed over Pieria and beautiful Emathia, then continued to the snowy mountains of the Thracian horsemen. She flew over the highest peaks without ever touching the ground. From Athos she crossed the sea until she reached Lemnos, the city of noble Thoas. There she met Sleep, Death’s own brother, and took him by the hand. She said, “Sleep, you rule over mortals and immortals alike. If you ever helped me in the past, help me now, and I will be grateful to you forever. Close Jove’s watchful eyes in sleep while I hold him in my arms. In return, I will give you a beautiful golden chair that will never fall apart. My clubfooted son Vulcan will make the chair for you. He will also give you a footstool to rest your lovely feet on while you sit at the table.”

Then Sleep answered, “Juno, great queen of goddesses, daughter of mighty Saturn, I would lull any other of the gods to sleep without compunction, not even excepting the waters of Oceanus from whom all of them proceed, but I dare not go near Jove, nor send him to sleep unless he bids me. I have had one lesson already through doing what you asked me, on the day when Jove’s mighty son Hercules set sail from Ilius after having sacked the city of the Trojans. At your bidding I suffused my sweet self over the mind of aegis-bearing Jove, and laid him to rest; meanwhile you hatched a plot against Hercules, and set the blasts of the angry winds beating upon the sea, till you took him to the goodly city of Cos, away from all his friends. Jove was furious when he awoke, and began hurling the gods about all over the house; he was looking more particularly for myself, and would have flung me down through space into the sea where I should never have been heard of any more, had not Night who cows both men and gods protected me. I fled to her and Jove left off looking for me in spite of his being so angry, for he did not dare do anything to displease Night. And now you are again asking me to do something on which I cannot venture.”

Then Sleep answered, “Juno, great queen of goddesses, daughter of mighty Saturn, I would put any other god to sleep without hesitation. I would not even spare the waters of Oceanus, from whom all the gods come. But I dare not approach Jove or put him to sleep unless he tells me to. I have already learned my lesson from doing what you asked. That was the day Jove’s mighty son Hercules sailed from Ilius after sacking the city of the Trojans. At your command, I spread my sweetness through the mind of Jove, bearer of the aegis, and put him to sleep. Meanwhile, you plotted against Hercules and sent fierce winds raging over the sea. You kept them blowing until you drove him to the fine city of Cos, far from all his friends. “Jove was furious when he woke and began throwing the gods around the house. He was looking especially for me. He would have thrown me down through the sky into the sea, never to be heard of again. But Night, who strikes fear into both men and gods, protected me. I fled to her, and Jove stopped looking for me despite his anger. He did not dare do anything to displease Night. And now you are asking me again to do something I dare not attempt.”

And Juno said, “Sleep, why do you take such notions as those into your head? Do you think Jove will be as anxious to help the Trojans, as he was about his own son? Come, I will marry you to one of the youngest of the Graces, and she shall be your own—Pasithea, whom you have always wanted to marry.”

And Juno said, “Sleep, why do you get such ideas into your head? Do you think Jove will be as eager to help the Trojans as he was to help his own son? Come, I will marry you to one of the youngest of the Graces, and she will be yours. She is Pasithea, whom you have always wanted to marry.”

Sleep was pleased when he heard this, and answered, “Then swear it to me by the dread waters of the river Styx; lay one hand on the bounteous earth, and the other on the sheen of the sea, so that all the gods who dwell down below with Saturn may be our witnesses, and see that you really do give me one of the youngest of the Graces—Pasithea, whom I have always wanted to marry.”

Sleep was pleased to hear this and replied, “Then swear to me by the dreaded waters of the river Styx. Place one hand on the generous earth and the other on the shining sea. Do this so that all the gods who live below with Saturn may witness your promise. Let them see that you really do give me Pasithea, one of the youngest of the Graces. I have always wanted to marry her.”

Juno did as he had said. She swore, and invoked all the gods of the nether world, who are called Titans, to witness. When she had completed her oath, the two enshrouded themselves in a thick mist and sped lightly forward, leaving Lemnos and Imbrus behind them. Presently they reached many-fountained Ida, mother of wild beasts, and Lectum where they left the sea to go on by land, and the tops of the trees of the forest soughed under the going of their feet. Here Sleep halted, and ere Jove caught sight of him he climbed a lofty pine-tree—the tallest that reared its head towards heaven on all Ida. He hid himself behind the branches and sat there in the semblance of the sweet-singing bird that haunts the mountains and is called Chalcis by the gods, but men call it Cymindis. Juno then went to Gargarus, the topmost peak of Ida, and Jove, driver of the clouds, set eyes upon her. As soon as he did so he became inflamed with the same passionate desire for her that he had felt when they had first enjoyed each other’s embraces, and slept with one another without their dear parents knowing anything about it. He went up to her and said, “What do you want that you have come hither from Olympus—and that too with neither chariot nor horses to convey you?”

Juno did as he had said. She swore an oath and called on all the gods of the underworld, known as Titans, to witness it. After she finished her oath, Juno and Sleep wrapped themselves in a thick mist and sped lightly onward. They left Lemnos and Imbrus behind. Soon they reached Ida, with its many springs, the mother of wild beasts. They came to Lectum, where they left the sea and continued over land. The treetops rustled beneath their feet as they passed through the forest. Sleep stopped there. Before Jove could see him, Sleep climbed a tall pine, the tallest tree reaching toward heaven on all Ida. He hid among the branches in the form of a sweet-singing bird that lives in the mountains. The gods call the bird Chalcis, but humans call it Cymindis. Juno then went to Gargarus, Ida’s highest peak, and Jove, the driver of clouds, caught sight of her. The moment he saw her, he burned with the same passionate desire he had felt at their first embrace. Back then, they had slept together without their dear parents knowing anything about it. He approached her and said, “Why have you come here from Olympus, without either a chariot or horses to carry you?”

Then Juno told him a lying tale and said, “I am going to the world’s end, to visit Oceanus, from whom all we gods proceed, and mother Tethys; they received me into their house, took care of me, and brought me up. I must go and see them that I may make peace between them: they have been quarrelling, and are so angry that they have not slept with one another this long time. The horses that will take me over land and sea are stationed on the lowermost spurs of many-fountained Ida, and I have come here from Olympus on purpose to consult you. I was afraid you might be angry with me later on, if I went to the house of Oceanus without letting you know.”

Then Juno told him a lie and said, “I am going to the world’s end to visit Oceanus and mother Tethys. All we gods come from Oceanus. Oceanus and Tethys welcomed me into their home, cared for me, and raised me. I must visit them to make peace between them. They have been quarreling and are so angry that they have not slept together for a long time. The horses that will carry me over land and sea are waiting on the lowest slopes of Ida. Ida has many springs. I have come here from Olympus specifically to consult you. I was afraid you might be angry with me later if I visited Oceanus’s house without letting you know.”

And Jove said, “Juno, you can choose some other time for paying your visit to Oceanus—for the present let us devote ourselves to love and to the enjoyment of one another. Never yet have I been so overpowered by passion neither for goddess nor mortal woman as I am at this moment for yourself—not even when I was in love with the wife of Ixion who bore me Pirithous, peer of gods in counsel, nor yet with Danae the daintily-ancled daughter of Acrisius, who bore me the famed hero Perseus. Then there was the daughter of Phoenix, who bore me Minos and Rhadamanthus: there was Semele, and Alcmena in Thebes by whom I begot my lion-hearted son Hercules, while Semele became mother to Bacchus the comforter of mankind. There was queen Ceres again, and lovely Leto, and yourself—but with none of these was I ever so much enamoured as I now am with you.”

And Jove said, “Juno, you can visit Oceanus another time. For now, let us give ourselves to love and enjoy each other. No goddess or mortal woman has ever filled me with such passion as I feel for you now. Not even Ixion’s wife, who bore me Pirithous, stirred such love in me. Pirithous was equal to the gods in wisdom. Nor did Danae, the daughter of Acrisius with her delicate ankles, who bore me the famous hero Perseus. Then there was the daughter of Phoenix, who bore me Minos and Rhadamanthus. There were Semele and Alcmena in Thebes. Alcmena bore me my lion-hearted son Hercules, while Semele became the mother of Bacchus, who comforts mankind. There were also queen Ceres, lovely Leto, and you yourself. But I never loved any of them as passionately as I love you now.”

Juno again answered him with a lying tale. “Most dread son of Saturn,” she exclaimed, “what are you talking about? Would you have us enjoy one another here on the top of Mount Ida, where everything can be seen? What if one of the ever-living gods should see us sleeping together, and tell the others? It would be such a scandal that when I had risen from your embraces I could never show myself inside your house again; but if you are so minded, there is a room which your son Vulcan has made me, and he has given it good strong doors; if you would so have it, let us go thither and lie down.”

Juno answered him again with a lie. “Most feared son of Saturn,” she exclaimed, “what are you talking about? Do you want us to make love here on top of Mount Ida, where everything is in plain sight? What if one of the immortal gods saw us sleeping together and told the others? The scandal would be so great that, after your embrace, I could never show my face in your house again. But if you want to make love, your son Vulcan has built me a room with strong, sturdy doors. If that is what you want, let us go there and lie down.”

And Jove answered, “Juno, you need not be afraid that either god or man will see you, for I will enshroud both of us in such a dense golden cloud, that the very sun for all his bright piercing beams shall not see through it.”

And Jove answered, “Juno, you need not fear that any god or human will see you. I will cover us both in a golden cloud so thick that even the sun cannot see through it. All his bright, piercing rays will not be enough.”

With this the son of Saturn caught his wife in his embrace; whereon the earth sprouted them a cushion of young grass, with dew-bespangled lotus, crocus, and hyacinth, so soft and thick that it raised them well above the ground. Here they laid themselves down and overhead they were covered by a fair cloud of gold, from which there fell glittering dew-drops.

With that, the son of Saturn took his wife in his arms. Then the earth grew a cushion of young grass beneath them, with dew-covered lotus, crocus, and hyacinth. The cushion was so soft and thick that it raised them well above the ground. They lay down there, covered by a beautiful golden cloud from which glittering dewdrops fell.

Thus, then, did the sire of all things repose peacefully on the crest of Ida, overcome at once by sleep and love, and he held his spouse in his arms. Meanwhile Sleep made off to the ships of the Achaeans, to tell earth-encircling Neptune, lord of the earthquake. When he had found him he said, “Now, Neptune, you can help the Danaans with a will, and give them victory though it be only for a short time while Jove is still sleeping. I have sent him into a sweet slumber, and Juno has beguiled him into going to bed with her.”

So the father of all things rested peacefully on the summit of Ida, overcome by both sleep and love. He held his wife in his arms. Meanwhile, Sleep hurried to the ships of the Achaeans to tell earth-encircling Neptune, lord of earthquakes. When Sleep found Neptune, he said, “Now, Neptune, you can give the Danaans your full support and bring them victory. Even if their victory lasts only a short time, you can help while Jove is still asleep. I have sent him into a sweet sleep, and Juno has tricked him into going to bed with her.”

Sleep now departed and went his ways to and fro among mankind, leaving Neptune more eager than ever to help the Danaans. He darted forward among the first ranks and shouted saying, “Argives, shall we let Hector son of Priam have the triumph of taking our ships and covering himself with glory? This is what he says that he shall now do, seeing that Achilles is still in dudgeon at his ship; we shall get on very well without him if we keep each other in heart and stand by one another. Now, therefore, let us all do as I say. Let us each take the best and largest shield we can lay hold of, put on our helmets, and sally forth with our longest spears in our hands; I will lead you on, and Hector son of Priam, rage as he may, will not dare to hold out against us. If any good staunch soldier has only a small shield, let him hand it over to a worse man, and take a larger one for himself.”

Sleep now left and wandered among mankind, leaving Neptune more eager than ever to help the Danaans. Neptune rushed forward among the front ranks and shouted, “Argives, shall we let Hector son of Priam triumph by taking our ships and winning glory? Hector says he will do just that now, since Achilles is still sulking at his ship. We shall do very well without Achilles if we encourage each other and stand together. So now let us all do as I say. Let each of us take the best and largest shield we can find. Let us put on our helmets and march out with our longest spears in our hands. I will lead you. However fiercely Hector son of Priam rages, he will not dare to stand against us. If any brave, dependable soldier has only a small shield, let him give that shield to a poorer soldier. Then let him take a larger shield for himself.”

Thus did he speak, and they did even as he had said. The son of Tydeus, Ulysses, and Agamemnon, wounded though they were, set the others in array, and went about everywhere effecting the exchanges of armour; the most valiant took the best armour, and gave the worse to the worse man. When they had donned their bronze armour they marched on with Neptune at their head. In his strong hand he grasped his terrible sword, keen of edge and flashing like lightning; woe to him who comes across it in the day of battle; all men quake for fear and keep away from it.

So he spoke, and they did as he said. Though wounded, the son of Tydeus, Ulysses, and Agamemnon organized the others into battle lines. They went everywhere, arranging exchanges of armor. The bravest men took the best armor and gave the poorer armor to less valiant men. Once the warriors had put on their bronze armor, they marched forward with Neptune leading them. In his strong hand, Neptune gripped his terrible sword, its sharp edge flashing like lightning. Woe to anyone who faces that sword in battle. All men tremble with fear and keep away from it.

Hector on the other side set the Trojans in array. Thereon Neptune and Hector waged fierce war on one another—Hector on the Trojan and Neptune on the Argive side. Mighty was the uproar as the two forces met; the sea came rolling in towards the ships and tents of the Achaeans, but waves do not thunder on the shore more loudly when driven before the blast of Boreas, nor do the flames of a forest fire roar more fiercely when it is well alight upon the mountains, nor does the wind bellow with ruder music as it tears on through the tops of when it is blowing its hardest, than the terrible shout which the Trojans and Achaeans raised as they sprang upon one another.

On the other side, Hector drew the Trojans into battle formation. Then Neptune and Hector fought fiercely against each other, Hector on the Trojan side and Neptune on the Argive side. A mighty uproar rose as the two armies met. The sea rolled in toward the Achaeans’ ships and tents. But waves driven against the shore by the blast of Boreas do not thunder more loudly. Nor does a forest fire roar more fiercely when blazing on the mountains. Nor does the wind howl more wildly as it tears through the treetops at full strength. None is louder than the terrible shout the Trojans and Achaeans raised as they charged at each other.

Hector first aimed his spear at Ajax, who was turned full towards him, nor did he miss his aim. The spear struck him where two bands passed over his chest—the band of his shield and that of his silver-studded sword—and these protected his body. Hector was angry that his spear should have been hurled in vain, and withdrew under cover of his men. As he was thus retreating, Ajax son of Telamon, struck him with a stone, of which there were many lying about under the men’s feet as they fought—brought there to give support to the ships’ sides as they lay on the shore. Ajax caught up one of them and struck Hector above the rim of his shield close to his neck; the blow made him spin round like a top and reel in all directions. As an oak falls headlong when uprooted by the lightning flash of father Jove, and there is a terrible smell of brimstone—no man can help being dismayed if he is standing near it, for a thunderbolt is a very awful thing—even so did Hector fall to earth and bite the dust. His spear fell from his hand, but his shield and helmet were made fast about his body, and his bronze armour rang about him.

Hector first aimed his spear at Ajax, who was facing him directly, and his aim was true. The spear struck where two straps crossed Ajax’s chest, one for his shield and one for his silver-studded sword. These straps protected his body. Angry that his spear had struck in vain, Hector pulled back under cover of his men. As Hector retreated, Ajax son of Telamon struck him with a stone. Many stones lay under the fighters’ feet, brought there to support the ships’ sides as they rested on shore. Ajax picked up one of these stones and struck Hector near his neck, above the rim of his shield. The blow spun Hector like a top and sent him reeling in all directions. Just as an oak crashes down when uprooted by father Jove’s lightning, so Hector fell and bit the dust. A terrible smell of sulfur rises when the lightning strikes. No one standing nearby can help feeling terrified, for a thunderbolt is a fearsome thing. Hector’s spear fell from his hand, but his shield and helmet stayed fastened to his body. His bronze armor clanged around him.

The sons of the Achaeans came running with a loud cry towards him, hoping to drag him away, and they showered their darts on the Trojans, but none of them could wound him before he was surrounded and covered by the princes Polydamas, Aeneas, Agenor, Sarpedon captain of the Lycians, and noble Glaucus. Of the others, too, there was not one who was unmindful of him, and they held their round shields over him to cover him. His comrades then lifted him off the ground and bore him away from the battle to the place where his horses stood waiting for him at the rear of the fight with their driver and the chariot; these then took him towards the city groaning and in great pain. When they reached the ford of the fair stream of Xanthus, begotten of Immortal Jove, they took him from off his chariot and laid him down on the ground; they poured water over him, and as they did so he breathed again and opened his eyes. Then kneeling on his knees he vomited blood, but soon fell back on to the ground, and his eyes were again closed in darkness for he was still stunned by the blow.

The Achaeans ran toward him with a loud cry, hoping to drag him away. They showered the Trojans with spears, but none could wound him before the princes surrounded and shielded him. These were Polydamas, Aeneas, Agenor, Sarpedon, captain of the Lycians, and noble Glaucus. None of the others forgot him either, and they held their round shields over him for protection. His comrades then lifted him from the ground and carried him away from the battle. His horses were waiting at the rear with their driver and chariot. They took him toward the city as he groaned in great pain. When they reached the ford of the beautiful river Xanthus, born of immortal Jove, they stopped. They lifted him from his chariot and laid him on the ground. They poured water over him, and as they did, he breathed again and opened his eyes. Then he rose to his knees and vomited blood, but soon fell back to the ground. His eyes closed in darkness again, for he was still stunned by the blow.

When the Argives saw Hector leaving the field, they took heart and set upon the Trojans yet more furiously. Ajax fleet son of Oileus began by springing on Satnius son of Enops, and wounding him with his spear: a fair naiad nymph had borne him to Enops as he was herding cattle by the banks of the river Satnioeis. The son of Oileus came up to him and struck him in the flank so that he fell, and a fierce fight between Trojans and Danaans raged round his body. Polydamas son of Panthous drew near to avenge him, and wounded Prothoenor son of Areilycus on the right shoulder; the terrible spear went right through his shoulder, and he clutched the earth as he fell in the dust. Polydamas vaunted loudly over him saying, “Again I take it that the spear has not sped in vain from the strong hand of the son of Panthous; an Argive has caught it in his body, and it will serve him for a staff as he goes down into the house of Hades.”

When the Argives saw Hector leaving the battlefield, they took courage and attacked the Trojans even more fiercely. Swift Ajax, son of Oileus, struck first, leaping at Satnius, son of Enops, and wounding him with his spear. A beautiful naiad nymph had borne Satnius to Enops while Enops was herding cattle beside the river Satnioeis. The son of Oileus closed in and struck Satnius in the side, bringing him down. A fierce fight between Trojans and Danaans broke out around his body. Polydamas, son of Panthous, came forward to avenge Satnius and wounded Prothoenor, son of Areilycus, in the right shoulder. The terrible spear went straight through Prothoenor’s shoulder, and he clutched the earth as he fell in the dust. Polydamas boasted loudly over him, saying, “Once again, I think the spear has not flown in vain from the strong hand of the son of Panthous. An Argive has caught the spear in his body. It will serve him as a walking stick as he goes down to the house of Hades.”

The Argives were maddened by this boasting. Ajax son of Telamon was more angry than any, for the man had fallen close beside him; so he aimed at Polydamas as he was retreating, but Polydamas saved himself by swerving aside and the spear struck Archelochus son of Antenor, for heaven counselled his destruction; it struck him where the head springs from the neck at the top joint of the spine, and severed both the tendons at the back of the head. His head, mouth, and nostrils reached the ground long before his legs and knees could do so, and Ajax shouted to Polydamas saying, “Think, Polydamas, and tell me truly whether this man is not as well worth killing as Prothoenor was: he seems rich, and of rich family, a brother, it may be, or son of the knight Antenor, for he is very like him.”

The Argives were enraged by this boasting. Ajax son of Telamon was angrier than anyone, because the man had fallen close beside him. So Ajax aimed his spear at Polydamas as Polydamas retreated. But Polydamas saved himself by swerving aside, and the spear struck Archelochus son of Antenor. Heaven had decreed Archelochus’s destruction. The spear struck where his head joined his neck, at the top joint of his spine. It severed both tendons at the back of his head. His head, mouth, and nostrils hit the ground long before his legs and knees. Ajax shouted to Polydamas, “Think, Polydamas, and tell me honestly whether this man was not as worth killing as Prothoenor. He looks rich and from a rich family. Perhaps he is a brother or son of the knight Antenor, because he looks very much like him.”

But he knew well who it was, and the Trojans were greatly angered. Acamas then bestrode his brother’s body and wounded Promachus the Boeotian with his spear, for he was trying to drag his brother’s body away. Acamas vaunted loudly over him saying, “Argive archers, braggarts that you are, toil and suffering shall not be for us only, but some of you too shall fall here as well as ourselves. See how Promachus now sleeps, vanquished by my spear; payment for my brother’s blood has not been long delayed; a man, therefore, may well be thankful if he leaves a kinsman in his house behind him to avenge his fall.”

But he knew well who it was, and the Trojans were furious. Acamas then stood over his brother’s body and wounded Promachus the Boeotian with his spear. Promachus had been trying to drag Acamas’s brother’s body away. Acamas boasted loudly over Promachus, saying, “Argive archers, you braggarts! We will not be the only ones to suffer and struggle. Some of you too will fall here, just as we do. See how Promachus now sleeps, defeated by my spear. Revenge for my brother’s blood has not been long in coming. So a man may well be thankful if he leaves a relative at home to avenge his death.”

His taunts infuriated the Argives, and Peneleos was more enraged than any of them. He sprang towards Acamas, but Acamas did not stand his ground, and he killed Ilioneus son of the rich flock-master Phorbas, whom Mercury had favoured and endowed with greater wealth than any other of the Trojans. Ilioneus was his only son, and Peneleos now wounded him in the eye under his eyebrows, tearing the eye-ball from its socket: the spear went right through the eye into the nape of the neck, and he fell, stretching out both hands before him. Peneleos then drew his sword and smote him on the neck, so that both head and helmet came tumbling down to the ground with the spear still sticking in the eye; he then held up the head, as though it had been a poppy-head, and showed it to the Trojans, vaunting over them as he did so. “Trojans,” he cried, “bid the father and mother of noble Ilioneus make moan for him in their house, for the wife also of Promachus son of Alegenor will never be gladdened by the coming of her dear husband—when we Argives return with our ships from Troy.”

His taunts enraged the Argives, and Peneleos was angrier than any of them. He charged at Acamas, but Acamas did not stand his ground. Peneleos then killed Ilioneus, son of the wealthy flock owner Phorbas. Mercury had favored Phorbas and given him greater wealth than any other Trojan. Ilioneus was his only son. Peneleos struck Ilioneus in the eye beneath his eyebrow, tearing the eyeball from its socket. The spear passed through his eye and out the back of his neck. He fell, stretching both hands out before him. Peneleos then drew his sword and struck Ilioneus on the neck. His head and helmet tumbled to the ground, with the spear still stuck in his eye. Peneleos held up the head as though it were a poppy head and showed it to the Trojans, boasting over them. “Trojans,” he cried, “tell the father and mother of noble Ilioneus to mourn for him in their house. For the wife of Promachus son of Alegenor will never again have the joy of welcoming her dear husband home, either. Not when we Argives return from Troy in our ships.”

As he spoke fear fell upon them, and every man looked round about to see whither he might fly for safety.

As he spoke, fear gripped them, and every man looked around to see where he could flee to safety.

Tell me now, O Muses that dwell on Olympus, who was the first of the Argives to bear away blood-stained spoils after Neptune lord of the earthquake had turned the fortune of war. Ajax son of Telamon was first to wound Hyrtius son of Gyrtius, captain of the staunch Mysians. Antilochus killed Phalces and Mermerus, while Meriones slew Morys and Hippotion, Teucer also killed Prothoon and Periphetes. The son of Atreus then wounded Hyperenor shepherd of his people, in the flank, and the bronze point made his entrails gush out as it tore in among them; on this his life came hurrying out of him at the place where he had been wounded, and his eyes were closed in darkness. Ajax son of Oileus killed more than any other, for there was no man so fleet as he to pursue flying foes when Jove had spread panic among them.

Tell me now, Muses who live on Olympus, who first among the Argives carried away blood-stained spoils? This was after Neptune, lord of earthquakes, had turned the tide of battle. Ajax son of Telamon was first to wound Hyrtius son of Gyrtius, captain of the steadfast Mysians. Antilochus killed Phalces and Mermerus, while Meriones killed Morys and Hippotion. Teucer also killed Prothoon and Periphetes. Then the son of Atreus wounded Hyperenor, shepherd of his people, in the side. The bronze point tore through his guts, spilling them out. His life rushed out through the wound, and darkness closed over his eyes. Ajax son of Oileus killed more than anyone else. No man was as fast as he was at pursuing fleeing enemies when Jove had spread panic among them.